Bulkhead for pipe loads?

No point. Just like your safety manager. Maybe he thought it was just 1 tier high

 

Required by whom? By him out does he think it is legally required?

 

If you have a headache rack you are good to go. Many a pipe load that is longer than the trailer will hang over the back and the front of the trailer. A bulkhead would get in the way and may cause you to be over length (depending on the state). Those that specialize in long pipe loads have extended catwalks and NO bulkhead.

 

Company policy says put it on, just put it on. It'll look stupid but you won't hear from him about it again.

I picked up a four tier steel load a couple months back. With dunnage and all the bundles, it was close to 5 feet tall on the trailer. Had to poly and tarp outside, by myself. Still put the bulkhead on in front because when we pick up from this mill, we are supposed to put one on. Normally, the loads barely make it one foot off the deck.

*shrugs*

It's just one more piece of securement. And stupidly enough, my company policy also is put the bulkhead out in front of the load, rather than tight up against it... as the "safety manager" thinks the dunnage is supposed to break and the single 5/16" chain is supposed to "catch" 45,000 pounds of steel. I still shake my head at that one when it comes up.

If I'm pulling it, that bulkhead goes up against the steel. Won't pull a load of steel (that's not formed tube) without one. A single 9000 lb bundle, let alone 5, is not something I want to play around with.

Not a word has been said to me about it yet.

 

Don't trust a headache rack to stop steel. Trust in one's securement. My rule of thumb for steel is:

"What are the DOT minimums? Double it and add 2-3."

 

I would build a bulkhead if I had room on the deck for it. That's what they want, that's what they get. It's their truck, it's their rules. One time I had a 2 tier load of various sized steel pipe from TT in NJ that I just did not like for forward movement. What I did was to take a 4X4 dunnage and put inside the two outside pipes having them stick out about 8 inches. Then I took a chain and laid over the top of the dunnage going across the front of all the pipe in between. Put a binder on it and all was good. Now because the pipe overhung the front of the trailer this worked well for both tiers.

 

Amen.

Edited to add: A bulkhead is just to make it look purdy.

 

I like that idea.

 

Safety directors are the reason for alot of confusion on this site. They tell their drivers goofy things and drivers take it that it is the law.

This just a general statement it's not directed at you Gunner.